10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,888 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Kia Sorento Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Oct 312006

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Where do I start"....well not long after we got the piece of junk we had to take it to the Kia dealer because the engine light kept coming on, they said it was because the gas cap wasn't being twisted enough and air got in. Well for about 2 weeks the engine light stayed off, we took it back numerous times but it kept coming back on. Then on one occasion I was stranded about 40 miles from home...the car was dead, we had it towed to the dealer, all the belts had come off, they tried to make excuses why Kia wouldn't fix it under the warranty, thank god we won that battle...keep in mind, the engine light is still on at this point. Now this year the heater won't stay hot after about 30 seconds it turns cold, as cold as the air. Then with no warning the car over heats and dies on me. We have it towed to the dealer they say it is my fault because when I seen the light come on I should have pulled over, "the light never goes off" Kia won't fix it unless we pay for it, and the cost is $10,000. We have one year left and it would be paid off...less than $7,000 and now this. I am so angry, this is not right. I think the Kia company needs to be investigated. Something needs to be done they are ripping everyone off. Taking money from working people and scamming them. They are no better than thieves and liars. They are selling a product along with a promise to service it should something go wrong but not honoring that promise. Oh and did I mention the head lights are always going out"

- Vandalia, IL, USA

problem #5

Jul 212006

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles
The reservoir on my 2003 Kia Sorento ruptured and all the coolant leaked out while I was driving. I pulled off the highway and into a gas station and the let the car cool. I then added in anti- freeze and filled it with water and drove another 10 miles and dropped the car at a repair shop. The next day the car would not start. The Kia dealership is saying it is not covered under warranty.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #4

Nov 072005

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical failure, cooling system failure, rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of time on the dealers lift. Also has seen its share of tow trucks. In the past 1 1/2 years I have replaced 18 left side headlights,23 right side head light,16 fog lights,8 license plate lights and 6 tail lights the truck has been to 3 dealers and they all say its either normal or it's only because I did not buy the bulbs from Kia well some I did and they do not last either. The last time it was in they had the truck for 9 1/2 minutes and told us there is nothing wrong and for $149 they will put in a new bulb. No warranty on how long it will last..... the truck also misfires and the dealer also cannot fix it they say the computer says its good so it must be good. Well you can feel the misfire even the dealers mechanic stated it is misfiring but he cannot fix it maybe after the warranty is over we will be able to find the problem..... another problem is the cooling system in the past 3 years it has had the recovery tank replaced 2 times the radiator replaced the connecting Y behind the motor replaced... I have spent over $200 on rent a cars with no help from Kia each time my car is towed in this car is still under warranty so why cant they fix it O yeah the last thing is the fog lights are melting or shall I say its the inside chrome coating is burning and I was told its not warranty and there about $85 each why wont Kia meet with me "????????????" can anyone please help me.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 262005

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electrical failure, cooling system failure, rough running-engine misfire purchased car 2-22-2003 brand new this car has spent a lot of time on the dealers lift. Also has seen its share of tow trucks. In the past 1 1/2 years I have replaced 18 left side headlights,23 right side headlights,16 fog lights,8 license plate lights and 6 tail lights the truck has been to 3 dealers and they all say its either normal or it's only because I did not buy the bulbs from Kia well some I did and they do not last either. The last time it was in they had the truck for 9 1/2 minutes and told us there is nothing wrong and for $149 they will put in a new bulb. No warranty on how long it will last..... the truck also misfires and the dealer also cannot fix it they say the computer says its good so it must be good. Well you can feel the misfire even the dealers mechanic stated it is misfiring but he cannot fix it maybe after the warranty is over we will be able to find the problem..... another problem is the cooling system in the past 3 years it has had the recovery tank replaced 2 times the radiator replaced the connecting Y behind the motor replaced... I have spent over $200 on rent a cars with no help from Kia each time my car is towed in this car is still under warranty so why cant they fix it O yeah the last thing is the fog lights are melting or shall I say its the inside chrome coating is burning and I was told its not warranty and there about $85 each why wont Kia meet with me "????????????" can anyone please help me.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #2

Jun 182005

Sorento 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles
Harmonic balancer bolt broke. Traveling less than 5mph. Vehicle started to vibrate. Upon investigation, found that the main bolt holding the harmonic balancer in had sheared off. There were some rust deposits at the breakage point. This occured while on an offroad trip. The vehicle was left in the backcountry. I will have to attempt to make repairs in the field in order to get it to the dealer. There is no way to tow the vehicle out of its current position.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1

Oct 042004

Sorento 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,947 miles
While driving, the engine blew out the first time on 10-04-04. It was replaced and it blew again on 01-21-05. The vehicle is on its third engine. The key became stuck in the ignition, the vehicle shifted out of park. The consumer stated he has had transmissions and engine problems since he purchased the vehicle. The front wheel bearings were damaged. The fog light was inoperative.

- Beacon, NY, USA

Not what you are looking for?